Comelec rules out special elections

THE Commission on Elections cannot hold a special election in the first congressional district of Valenzuela City without a declaration of vacancy from the House of Representatives, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Wednesday.

This comes after Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian relinquished his post following his appointment as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“There should be a declaration of vacancy from the House of Representatives so that there would be a trigger for the Commission on Elections to initiate the holding of a special election,” Garcia said.

Without the declaration of vacancy and call for special elections, the House of Representatives could just appoint a caretaker congressman for the first district of Valenzuela City.

The case in Valenzuela is different from that in Cavite, where a special election will be held to fill the vacancy left by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla in the seventh congressional district.

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Wednesday hailed the appointment of Gatchalian.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez considers Gatchalian an excellent choice, given the latter’s good track record and extensive public service experience.

“The loss of Congress is the gain of the DSWD. We wish you the best of luck,” Romualdez said.

“We know that you’re going to do a fantastic job. You’ve done so well in Valenzuela. We know your public service, your dedication, your diligence, and your energy will translate to further success for the DSWD,” he added.

Gatchalian, according to Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto, has what it takes to head DSWD, which he described as “one huge ATM — Ayuda, Tulong Machine.”

“For one, he survived the stress test of being a big city mayor during the pandemic, a position that put him in close contact with the people and their problems,” Recto said.

“As a legislator, Rex is aware of the social causes of poverty, which will drive him to focus on its roots, and not just on its symptoms,” he added.

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jose Ma. Clemente “Joey” Salceda is optimistic about the new DSWD secretary, describing Gatchalian as one of the country’s most progressive mayors.

“Secretary Gatchalian’s governance of Valenzuela during the Covid-19 pandemic, through awardwinning initiatives in contact tracing and the use of big data and statistics, shows a commitment to evidence-based and data-driven governance,” Salceda said.

“I look forward to working with Secretary Gatchalian, and I offer him my utmost support,” he added.

Romualdez said that the House will likely nominate a caretaker to fill the position left by Gatchalian.

Romualdez noted that the House will eventually have to issue a Declaration of Vacancy and call for special elections to allow the city’s voters to select their new representative to the House.

Legarda, Angara and Ejercito chime in

Senate President Pro Tempore Lorna Regina “Loren” Legarda also said Gatchalian will become an effective Social Work secretary since he knows the needs of local government units being a former mayor.

The senator, in a text message, said the newly appointed chief of the Department of Social Welfare and Development “communicates well with people from all walks of life.”

She said Gatchalian is a hardworking public servant of many years. “I know he will do a great job.”

“He will hopefully bring disaster risk reduction to DSWD as he knows that as congressman, and former mayor of Valenzuela, a vulnerable city,” Legarda said.

Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay said Gatchalian is a “good choice.”

The senator said Gatchalian’s “plus factor will be his familiarity with the disadvantaged sectors at the grassroots level.”

“Being a hands-on local chief executive, he knows how to operationalize the range of social welfare services and mechanisms,” Binay added.

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito described Gatchalian as a worker and a proven performer. “I am sure he will do a good job as DSWD Secretary.”

Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara agreed that Gatchalian is a “hard worker” and very capable public servant. “I believe he will do well as secretary of DSWD.”

Local chief executives in the National Capital Region also gave their support for Gatchalian.

Mayors Maria Josefina “Joy” Belmonte (Quezon City), Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian (Valenzuela City), John Rey Tiangco (Navotas City), Dave Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan (Caloocan City), and Jeannie Sandoval (Malabon City) were one in saying that the former Valenzuela mayor is the best person for the position.

WILLIAM DEPASUPIL,

MOISES CRUZ, BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO, ARLIE O. CALALO AND ARIC

JOHN SY CUA